The Orlando Magic and Los Angeles Clippers have been discussing the possibility of completing a trade headlined by Magic shooting guard Arron Afflalo and prized L.A. point guard Eric Bledsoe in conjunction with Thursday’s NBA draft, according to sources close to the process.

Sources told ESPN.com on Tuesday that a trade with those two players as the principles could happen as soon as this week and potentially could be expanded to include Magic forward Andrew Nicholson and a future first-round pick as compensation for the highly coveted Bledsoe.

My take is the Nicholson and future first round pick are what the Clippers want out of this deal, not what is actually on the table. The Clippers think they have leverage here because new coach Doc Rivers is a Bledsoe fan. That’s what they are selling.

But the Clippers know their roster needs upgrades to be the contenders they are expected to be with Doc Rivers and Bledsoe is a key trade asset to get some of that talent.

Afflalo would be a great fit for the Clippers — he brings needed perimeter defense at the two and floor spacing shooting (career 38.3 percent from three, last season that number dropped because he was forced to create more offense for the shorthanded Magic, that will not be an issue in Los Angeles). Afflalo is a fit and an upgrade that is perfect for Los Angeles.

The Magic want to build with good young players and Bledsoe fits that better than Jameer Nelson does. Much better.

The Clippers have been hesitant to make a move with Bledsoe until Chris Paul re-signed, he was sort of the insurance policy in case CP3 bolted; but with Doc Rivers signed the Clippers rightfully feel confident in CP3’s return.

To make the numbers work out, Caron Butler likely would be headed to Orlando. Other pieces may or may not be added.

This may happen by the draft, or it may be a few weeks, but this remains the most likely trade for Bledsoe.

With how terrible the Magic are and will continue to be for the next couple of years, no way they send the Clippers a first rounder, at least not one that’s not heavily lottery protected for many years.

To be honest, I think Bledsoe is slightly overrated, he has not proven he can run an offense, which is necessary if you want to be a starting PG in the NBA. Afflalo has shown he is capable of playing offense and defense, and earned heavy minutes on the playoff Nugs two years ago, he’s proven himself more than Bledsoe has imo.

I think a straight up trade including Butler to match salaries is fair and would benefit both teams. Clips can use their pick to take a pg in the draft such as Kabongo.

U obviously don’t know the young talent on the magic. Vucevic was a double double machine, harkless looks like an all around solid wing, Tobias Harris is a potential all star the way he played after coming from the bucks. Jameer provides some leadership and big baby is solid. Bledsoe would add a bunch of speed and game changing ability and 2nd overall pick is icing on the cake. This team is on the rise!

They have a couple young pieces, but they still finished with the second worst record in the NBA last season. Even when Seattle/OKC had a young Durant and Westbrook, it took a couple years before they even made the playoffs as an 8-seed. In the meantime they got additional pieces like Harden and Ibaka. You don’t want to be giving those type of picks away just to get Bledsoe when you’re already giving away Afflalo.

^^
They have additional 1st round picks they could give away, I don’t think they’ll go through with it has to be their own actual 1st rounder. Pretty certain that it would be a total deal breaker if the clippers tried to make it so.

Bledsoe has a ton of value around the league right now because of his youth, athleticism and potential. He could end up being anything from Kyle Lowry to Russell Westbrook when all is said and done. Hell, even if he ends up a great third guard it’s a decent deal. The Magic are in full rebuild and AA makes another 23 million over the next three years.

Plus, doesn’t orlando have a stockpile of draft picks? Surely they can give one of those to LA to get a deal done?

No first rd pick from magic side. Magic doing clippers a favor by taking butler off their hands Bledsoe is way overrated. Dude plays 12 minutes a night give it a rest Plus magic gotta sign him to extension right away before the season no thx Why every reporter things only of clippers side. Magic actually have been to finals before. Clippers u haven’t in recent memory

I bet Caron Butler regrets passing on signing with San Antonio during the lockout for the Clips now. A second round exit, first round exit, and now maybe getting shipped to Orlando? True, he got a ring with Dallas, but the Spurs wouldn’t have done him like this.

If the Magic were smart they’d trade Glen Davis with Afflalo and the 2015 or 16 pick. That way they could draft Victor Oladipo and start him. Start Tobias Harris with Caron Butler and Nikola Vucevic in the front court. They’ll be an okay team that plays spoiler once in awhile. They’ll get the 1st, 2nd or 3rd pick of next years draft which means Andrew Wiggin or Jabari Parker. Then with Bledsoe, Oladipo, Harris and Vucevic with Wiggin or Parker they’ll be back near the top.

I think this trade should be straight up and the Magic definitely should not give up their pick from last year. Bledsoe and Afflalo put up similar numbers in their starts last year and the Clippers need a 2 guard to fill out their starting lineup.

That is all Clippers. They are overrating Bledsoe. AA is proven and what they need… Clear upgrade over Bledsoe for a team that wants to win now. To ask for the pick and Nicholson is way too steep, even to take on the Butler contract for them. Magic would never do that while in rebuild mode. Not going to happen.

The Magic have three extra #1’s from the Howard deal, so I think they’d be willing to give one up for Bledsoe. Potential is a big deal in this league and Bledsoe is an elite athlete who is still only 23 years old.

Losing Afflalo is a loss though, so I don’t see your point. Did he struggle as a #1 option last year? Yes. That doesn’t make him free to suitors though.
As of right now Afflalo is a better and more complete player than Bledsoe, so I doubt you’ll convince the Magic to give up a 1st rounder. Just because the Magic have plenty of future 1st round pick doesn’t mean they are going to use them in every deal, the Magic are in “asset collection mode” at this stage of the rebuild so giving away picks or young players like Nicholson goes against their entire strategy. The Magic want MORE picks and young players, not less.

Hey magic, remember when you had that one guy who was supposed to be a leader for your team and all he did in his last season was complain in front of any camera he could find and rather than lead by example and work through some adversity,he caused your franchise to go into a rebuilding mode? Well last year, Aaron Afflalo provided steady leadership through all-out effort night in and night out even when he knew your team was in said rebuilding mode. That’s the kind of guy you want in the locker room when your bringing in young players.

To all the Clipper hater dorks that made the remark of EB being “unproven”. Fact is he started many, many games last year when CP3 was out. Without researching I’m gonna say the team won around 60% of those games. That’s unproven? What proof do you experts speak of?

So go ahead and keep AA and enjoy mediocrity Orlando fans. The Clippers are on track to not only make the playoffs but contend for a chip next season. Only thing that prevented that was VDN this year. Now that Rivers has the reigns I trust things will be far different. So keep AA and we will keep EB suckers.